‘Respect and dignity’

Given the often dreary and unpredictable British weather, the ancient celebration of May Day as the beginning of summer can seem a tad premature.

However, the first of May also marks another occasion: since the end of the nineteenth century it has been known as International Workers’ Day.

Just as the nation is not enjoying long days of uninterrupted sunshine quite yet, many people in the UK are still waiting for fair pay and decent treatment in their jobs.

But while it’s impossible to improve the weather, time and again the opposite has proved true for terms and conditions.

TGI Friday’s

That’s why this May Day Unite is backing workers at TGI Friday’s and McDonald’s, as well as workers across the hospitality sector, who are fighting against an epidemic of exploitative employment practices.

A Unite ballot for strike action at TGI Friday’s – called after the firm reduced tips paid on credit or debit cards for waiting staff by 40 per cent to finance a pay rise for kitchen workers – closes today.

Basically, the hugely profitable international restaurant chain is swiping the earnings of its waiting staff – most of whom are women on minimum wage who rely on tips to supplement their meagre incomes – and using the diverted cash to get out of paying proper wages to its kitchen staff.

Unite assistant general secretary Steve Turner said, “A company of the reputation and scale of TGI can afford to pay a decent wage to all its staff and Unite is calling for a minimum of £10 per hour.

“A wage that respects the company’s staff and provides dignity in work, addresses growing in-work poverty and the abuse of all taxpayers forced to subsidise low pay via a corporate welfare system that sees growing profits at the expense of us all.”

If TGI Friday’s staff vote to take industrial action, it will be the first strike ever in the UK taken over tipping policy.

Turner said, “The TGI ballot doesn’t just send a signal to waiting staff across the country. It also tells hotel workers, cleaners and bar staff, and all workers fed up with bosses getting away with it, that they deserve to be treated decently and that there is a welcome home for them in our labour movement.”

The closing of the TGI Friday’s ballot in two branches coincided with the beginning of fresh strike action by McDonald’s workers, who want a £10 an hour living wage, permanent contracts and an end to pay disparity for younger workers.

The McDonald’s workers are members of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU), which has formed an alliance with Unite to “end poverty pay and bring justice, respect and dignity” to the hospitality sector.

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey tweeted his support to McDonald’s and TGI Friday’s workers.

He said, “Sending my support and solidarity today… with all those demanding better pay and treatment and an end to insecure work and zero hours contracts which are such a barrier to trade union organisation and fair employment.”